Panelists Extol Significance Of Black Universities

FORT LAUDERDALE -- Napoleon Karr remembers his days as a student in Africa, where there was one teacher for every 100 students in cramped, sweltering, non-air-conditioned schoolhouses.

Yet, as rough as conditions were, Karr gained an invaluable education there, learning alongside others of his race about the uniqueness of his African culture.

Karr, now living in Pompano Beach, is proud that his son wants to gain a similar cultural experience by attending a historically black college.

``He needs to know more about himself and his own people. He needs to be proud of who he is,`` Karr said. ``A black university can give him that.``

Karr was one of about 100 parents, teachers and students who attended a forum on Saturday which addressed the importance of black colleges and universities.

The forum, held at the Broward County Main Library, was presented by the Sistrunk Historical Festival, Broward Community College and the Council on Black Economic Development.

Panelists representing black colleges across the country spoke about the need for more students to attend these colleges, and the need for more black teachers to be role models and teach African American studies.

College representatives said that standards at black colleges are as high as those at other colleges, but stressed that black colleges can provide an atmosphere the other colleges cannot duplicate.

``It`s difficult if a black student at a university doesn`t have many students and professors like him with the same concerns and desires,`` said Larry Earvin, dean of undergraduate studies at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta. ``And if you`re not in an environment you feel comfortable with, you`re at a disadvantage.

``What black colleges try to do is build self-esteem in our students, to teach them self-confidence so they can go out there and contribute to society.``